This month, we turn the spotlight on Bangalore Catholic Club. Formed in 1948, the club offers international-level sporting facilities for badminton, squash, tennis and swimming
When 81-year-old Al—positioned on the wooden court at Bangalore Catholic Club—hits the shuttlecock across the net, the onlookers applaud to endorse the notion that ‘sports is for all!’ And, that’s exactly what the club aims to achieve through its various sporting activities being undertaken round the year. In this club—when it comes to sports— age is certainly just a number. Besides Al, there are about 6 more badminton players above the age of 60, who take the onlookers in awe of their sporting spirit and zeal. Thanks to the inclusive approach of the club, the members of all age groups get to play badminton and squash at one of the oldest social associations in Bengaluru. Such is the enthusiasm that the club boasts of holding a one-of-its-kind Badminton Premier League on its glass back badminton courts. In the month of May, the badminton tournament—styled as the Indian Premier League (IPL)— was held with about 68 participants from four teams with four owners and 17 players in each team. “Players from all age groups participated in the Badminton Premier League. There were separate categories for women as well. It has been possible to conduct such a tournament as we are constantly encouraging people from all age groups to play the sport. The youngest players were in the age group of 10 to 11 years. The oldest player was 81-yearold (Al),” said Dr Kenuite Martis, the in-charge of Sportico at the club. The club also conducts the Bangalore Squash League with a similar motto.
Nurturing talents
Besides inclusivity, the club is also known for its commitment towards nurturing sporting talents, right from an early age. No wonder, the club offers several coaching facilities in badminton, squash and swimming. “We have various coaching camps for the children, starting from the age of 6 years to adults. We have tied-up with coaches in Bengaluru, who offer training to the children and adults on a daily basis. Both for badminton and squash, we have full-fledged coaching activities,” Martis added. Arjuna Awardee Nisha Millet— the only woman in the 2000 Sydney Olympics swim team for India—conducts swimming camps at the club for all age groups. Vijay Lancy, who has the title of World Champion in Men’s Doubles 45 plus to his credit, offers training in badminton at the club on weekdays. Experts from Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy train the club members during weekends. Besides, Saurav Ghosal— who reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 10 in April 2019—also imparted training at the club two years back. Joshna Chinappa—who was the first Indian to win the British Junior Squash Championship title in 2005 in the under-19 category—had also conducted a coaching camp at the club.
FACILITIES
- Catholic Club is the only club in Bengaluru to have two glass back badminton courts.
- The courts are of international standards with wooden floors.
- The club has an indoor and temperature controlled swimming pool that can be used round the year.
- Similar courts exist for squash.
- There are facilities for table-tennis, air hockey, carrom, scrabble.
- The club also boasts of having professional Snooker tables and a Pool table. It holds the prestigious Capt. George Memorial Inter Club Handicap Snooker Tournament, besides other events.
- Key persons for sports: Dr Kenuite Martis, Arun D’Souza, Ammar Fareed & Rodney Deepak Kumar.
- Sponsors: Over the years, the main sporting activities at the club have been sponsored by Mohit Gupta, Ramona Crasta, Shandar Hussein, Diana and Nasreen Varkey.
- Spot it: Catholic Club 22, Museum Road, Bengaluru 560 025
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